Race and Student Achievement
The racial demographics of K-12 public schools in the United States are rapidly changing. The National Center for Educational Statistics (2019) reports that between 2015 and 2027, the percentage of White students enrolled in public schools is projected to decrease from 49% to 45% while percentages of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students continues to increase.
Since 1975, national standardized test scores in both reading and math show White students pervasively and consistently achieving at significantly higher levels than African American, Latinx, and Indigenous (National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2019).
The growing misalignment between racially disparate achievement results and changing racial demographics in schools reveals an urgent problem regarding the educational experiences for students of color. Steps must be taken to interrupt this persistent pattern so that all students see academic gains.
Leadership and Student Achievement
The need for racially conscious school and district leaders remains fundamental to improving student achievement in the nation’s schools. The research is clear and consistent that school leaders are second only to teachers in impacting student achievement (Louis, Leithwood, Wahlstrom, & Anderson, 2010). The importance of racial equity and social justice leadership also exists in the literature. In fact, the literature described leadership with a focus on racial equity as a commitment to social justice, which “ensures equitable and optimal learning conditions for all children” (Merchant & Garza, 2015, p. 56) and included elements of diversity, race, gender, culture, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, power, and privilege (Guerra, Nelson, Jacobs, & Yamamura, 2013).
Our Mission
In an era of unprecedented educational challenge, the Institute For Courageous Leadership is committed to the continuous development of school and district leaders who are driven by a moral imperative and lead with fearlessness, skill, self-knowledge, and racial competence.
Our Vision
Under your leadership, every student is engaged, educated, included, and fully achieves.
Our Mission Statement
We’re committed to the continuous development of school and district leaders who are driven by a moral, lead imperative, and lead with fearlessness, skill, self-knowledge, and racial competence. It is our vision that, under their leadership, every child is engaged, educated, included, and fully achieves.
Our Vision
Under your leadership, every student is engaged, educated, included, and fully achieves.
What we do
We respond to the current inequitable school experiences for Black and Brown students.
We engage school and district leaders to be racially conscious, knowledgeable, and best practice drivers dedicated to high achievement for all students– especially black and brown scholars.
We develop confidence and competence in school and district leaders through intentional self-study and examination of best practices that are racially and culturally relevant.
What we do
We respond to the current inequitable school experiences for Black and Brown students.
We engage school and district leaders to be racially conscious, knowledgeable, and best practice drivers dedicated to high achievement for all students– especially black and brown scholars.
We develop confidence and competence in school and district leaders through intentional self-study and examination of best practices that are racially and culturally relevant.
Testimonials
what people are saying about Racial Equity Leadership
Featured Podcast
The School Leadership Show
“In this episode, semi-regular co-host Jenn David-Lang of The Main Idea and I interview Candace Raskin and Melissa Krull, who, along with Antonia J. Felix, are the authors of Principal Leadership for Racial Equity: A Field Guide for Developing Race Consciousness. These seasoned school leaders are phenomenal thinkers and are at the forefront of this important work. I can’t believe how fast this conversation went; it was amazing.”
